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Tyquan Powell and Lamonte Lloyd pleaded guilty last week to racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations conspiracy involving multiple murders, including one of a potential state’s witness in Scotland Neck.

The two men were among 83 United Blood Nation members indicted in 2017 in a sweeping criminal complaint in the Western District of North Carolina.

Lloyd’s arraignment was Thursday and Powell’s was Friday in Charlotte.

According to a document of factual basis contained in court records, Powell, also known as Savage, is a member of the UBN and was depicted on social media using gang slang and wearing UBN clothing. 

His Facebook account handle was Savage Returns during the course of the conspiracy.

The document says he agreed that he or some other member of the conspiracy would commit two or more racketeering acts, and personally committed two or more racketeering acts, including acts involving murder, attempted murder, and robbery.

Robbery over shoes

On October 24 of 2014, Powell and a co-conspirator arranged to meet the victim, identified in the document only by initials, to purchase a pair of shoes. 

When Powell and the co-conspirator arrived at the location in Charlotte, they drew guns and robbed the victim of the shoes, a wallet and cell phone. Powell was convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in Mecklenburg County for the crime.

Scotland Neck murder

On January 26, 2016, Powell and Lloyd, also known as Murda Mo and Moo traveled to Scotland Neck “in order to stop J.D. (Jimmy Ray Daniels) from cooperating with law enforcement in a drug case,” the document says.

Powell and Lloyd flagged down a car driven by Daniels outside of 415 East Eleventh Street and engaged him and two other occupants of the car in conversation. “Soon after, Powell and Lloyd each pulled out guns and opened fire on the occupants of the car.”

Daniels was struck in the upper back and later died. The two other occupants, only identified in the document by their initials, were shot in the buttocks and stomach. “Law enforcement officers found fourteen shell casings of two different calibers on the ground at the scene of the shooting. Powell and Lloyd then fled to, among other places, Charlotte, North Carolina, where they sought and received refuge and resources from UBN members and associates while attempting to evade arrest.”

February 7 shooting

Less than a month later — February 7 — Powell and Lloyd went to an address in Charlotte to rob a victim of drugs and money. “Powell and LLoyd entered the house and assaulted (the victim). Powell and Lloyd both had handguns and pointed them at (the victim). Lloyd shot (the victim) in the head, and (the victim) was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.” According to the document, the bullet went through the victim’s ear and out his mouth. The injuries were designated as non-life-threatening at the hospital. 

The victim, the document says, engaged in marijuana trafficking, and law enforcement officers found marijuana, digital scales, and packaging materials in the house where the victim was attacked. “Powell and Lloyd sought and received resources from other UBN members, including money and drugs, in the aftermath of this shooting.”

Gastonia murder

Twelve days later on February 19, Powell and Lloyd went to a motel in Gastonia and attempted to rob Cheeontah Howard and three others  of drugs and money.

Powell and Lloyd arranged to purchase marijuana from Howard. “Rather than completing the transaction, Powell and Lloyd pointed guns at (Howard) and the three other victims present in a motel room and demanded the victims’ money and drugs. (Howard) and the other victims attempted to take the guns from Powell and Lloyd. During the ensuing struggle, Powell shot (Howard) in the back.”

Howard died of the gunshot wound which caused extensive internal bleeding. Powell and Lloyd wore red articles of clothing during the crime.

Western District statement

In a statement on the Western District website the government said, referring to the Daniels murder, Powell and Lloyd believed that one of the occupants was cooperating with law enforcement and intended to testify in a criminal case against a close associate of the defendants.  

The statement said 78 defendants have now either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial due to this investigation and 68 have been sentenced.  

A jury convicted three top leaders of the UBN of racketeering conspiracy in May of 2018, and one defendant was convicted of racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy at trial in July. 

Lloyd and Powell are expected to be sentenced in February.